A Novel ultrasmall composite optical fiberscope

Oka, Kiyoshi; Seki, Takeshi; Naganawa, Akihiro*; Kim, K.*; Chiba, Toshio*

We developed an ultrasmall composite-type optical fiberscope (1.1-mm diameter) with a central cauterizing laser fiber surrounded by imaging and illumination fibers as a tool for various surgical applications. Porcine mesenteric blood vessels were laser irradiated in vivo and the procedure was filmed using ultrahigh-speed (max 1,000,000 frames per second) and thermographic cameras. Blood flow was decreased by 81.7% after laser irradiation and the diameter of the vessels at the irradiated point was approximately 46-48% smaller than that of the unirradiated vessels. Medical doctors also confirmed that the blood vessel was blocked after the experiments. From these results, it was shown that this device is applicable to all medical regions.